After some deliberation to bring small, fuel efficient cars made by the Chinese auto conglomerate Chery to North America, Chrysler is reportedly suspending the deal. The struggling U.S. automaker cited poor safety and high emissions of vehicles such as the above pictured Chery QQ as the main reason for shelving the joint venture.

Edmunds Green Car Advisor points to an Automotive News report, in which a former Chery executive familiar with the deal said that he “wouldn’t place much hope on it,” since “both companies have their own problems to deal with, and both have run out of money.” Chrysler’s co-president Tom LaSorda supposedly echoed the news, explaining that although “we need small cars now, Chery’s cars are still not ready for that exposure into these markets”.